Project Overview
Website: www.jorproperty.co.uk
Client: JOR Property Ltd.
Industry: Home Improvements, Repairs, Property Maintenance, All Trades Supplied
Objective: Redesign an outdated website to improve user experience, functionality, and visual appeal.
Client: JOR Property Ltd.
Industry: Home Improvements, Repairs, Property Maintenance, All Trades Supplied
Objective: Redesign an outdated website to improve user experience, functionality, and visual appeal.
Project Scope and Goals
JOR Property Ltd., a well-established property maintenance company in Aberdeen, sought to improve their online presence to better reflect the high level of service they provide. The existing website was not only visually outdated but also hampered by poor navigation, unclear messaging, and ineffective calls to action. The primary goal was to create a website that not only looked professional but also provided a seamless user experience, clear navigation, and improved functionality, especially for contacting the business, posting news, blogs, and vacancies.
Key Challenges:
- Improving the visual appeal and navigation of the website.
- Enhancing functionality for form submissions and content management.
- Improve the perception of quality of service, ensuring the website communicated the right message and attracted the right audience.
- Enhancing functionality for form submissions and content management.
- Improve the perception of quality of service, ensuring the website communicated the right message and attracted the right audience.
OLD WEBSITE
My Role and Contributions
As the lead designer and developer, I played a pivotal role in this project from start to finish. My responsibilities included:
- Platform Migration: Coordinated the migration process to reduce downtime and disruption.
- Conceptualization: Developed the sitemap, designed the navigation structure, and conceptualized the overall user experience.
- Copywriting & Compliance: Worked closely with the office manager and other stakeholders to create content that accurately represented the company while ensuring legal compliance.
- Design & Development: Used WordPress with Elementor Pro to design and develop the website, including custom theme building, wireframing, image manipulation, and UX design.
- Backend Functionality & SEO: Implemented precise forms, created templates for blog posts and vacancies, and worked on basic SEO, although this is an ongoing effort.
Collaboration: I closely collaborated with the office manager and other staff members, particularly for content creation and legal compliance. Despite challenges related to having multiple stakeholders, I managed to navigate these effectively through open dialogue and patience.
Design and Development Process
Understanding Client Needs: Having been part of the company, I had an intimate understanding of the client’s needs and the target audience. This insider perspective allowed me to align the website’s design and content with the company’s core values and customer expectations.
Wireframing & Prototyping: I used Elementor's pre-built blocks for wire-framing, allowing me to focus on the content distribution and navigation flow. Prototyping was done directly in Elementor, enabling rapid iterations based on client feedback.
Design Principles: The design followed a clean, minimalistic approach, with a focus on high contrast for accessibility. I prioritized logical navigation and a natural flow to guide users through the website. The aim was to avoid clutter and make information easily digestible.
Testing & Launch: Prior to launch, the website underwent rigorous testing, including link checks, form submissions, and overall usability. Colleagues were invited to test the development site, providing additional assurance that the website was ready for public access.
Key Features and Functionality
Enhanced Forms: Improved forms were designed to capture relevant information based on their specific context within the site.
Custom Mobile Menus: Developed custom pop-up menus for the mobile version, enhancing navigation.
Content Management: Implemented templates for blog posts, news, and vacancies, giving the client the ability to manage content easily.
Visual & Functional Optimization: Utilized plugins for image optimization, ensured adequate contrast for accessibility, and kept the plugin count minimal to maintain site performance.
Standout Design Element: One of my favourite aspects of the design is the About Us page, which was crafted to highlight the company’s expertise in the Aberdeen property market and its deep ties to the local community. Also, forms functionality and comprehensive vital information required from the website users have minimised the need for the company to contact clients to request additional information, or photo evidence.
Results and Impact
The new website has been a significant improvement over the previous version, meeting all of the client’s goals. While I don’t have specific performance data to compare with the old site, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The client is especially pleased with the improved functionality and the overall professional appearance of the site. They even gave me a special shoutout on social media, which was a great validation of the hard work that went into the project.
Lessons Learned
This project was an invaluable learning experience, teaching me the importance of balancing design with functionality. I learned to appreciate the backend aspects of web development, such as ensuring a smooth transition during platform migration and paying close attention to SEO and website health.
What I Would Do Differently:
Retain more of the previous site structure to avoid SEO pitfalls.
Consider using more specialized tools for wireframing and prototyping.
Focus even more on backend preparation to ensure long-term website health.
If you're looking for a specialist in building websites and branding for the home improvement and property maintenance industry, don't hesitate to get in touch. Let's create something remarkable together!
